(A) A
nonpublic school issued a charter by the state board of education shall be
subject to monitoring and oversight by the department, including periodic
reviews through site-visit, desk audit, investigations of complaints and other
means to determine if the nonpublic school is in compliance with rule
3301-35-09 of the Administrative Code and other applicable Ohio laws and rules.
In fulfilling its obligation to provide monitoring and oversight, the
department shall consider evidence provided by an accrediting association if
the school is accredited by an association whose standards have been reviewed
by the state superintendent's advisory committee on chartered nonpublic
schools and approved by the state board of education pursuant to paragraph
(A)(1) of rule 3301-35-09 of the Administrative Code.
(B) If a nonpublic school leaves an accrediting association
through which a chartered nonpublic school has received its charter in
accordance with rule 3301-35-09 of the Administrative Code, the nonpublic
school is required to notify the department within thirty days and provide
evidence that they are continuing to meet the requirements of rule 3301-35-09
of the Administrative Code.
(C) Should any dispute or complaint arise regarding a
school's compliance with rule 3301-35-09 of the Administrative Code or
other applicable Ohio laws and rules, the department is the final authority in
the resolution of the dispute or complaint.
(1) The department will review all complaints, including
any evidence supporting the position of the complainant, sent in writing by the
aggrieved party to the office of nonpublic education options. Prior to making a
determination, the department will do the following:
(a) Notify the
school's governing authority;
(b) Consider any evidence
from the accrediting organization and/or the governing authority of the
school;
(c) Review all available
evidence and make a final determination.
(2) The department may permit the nonpublic school to
satisfactorily complete a corrective action in lieu revocation under rule
3301-35-04 of the Administrative Code.
(D) If a chartered nonpublic school ceases K-12 operations,
it shall notify the department within thirty days and may request a one year
suspension of its charter with the intention of re-opening within twelve
months. If the school does not resume K-12 operations within one year of being
issued the suspension of charter, the chartered nonpublic school is to notify
the department that K-12 operations have permanently ceased under that
charter.
(E) If a determination is made by the department that a
nonpublic school is not in compliance with rule 3301-35-09 of the
Administrative Code or other applicable Ohio laws and rules and the nonpublic
school does not fully address all compliance issues within the time period
specified in a corrective active plan established by the department, the
department will notify the chartered nonpublic school of its intent to
recommend to the state board of education that its charter be revoked, and of
the nonpublic school's right to a hearing pursuant to Chapter 119. of the
Revised Code.
(F) Upon conclusion of the hearing and consideration of a
designated hearing officer's report and recommendation, the state board
may approve or deny the recommendation of the department and revoke the charter
of the nonpublic school.
